This week’s news includes: A NYT profile of Jerrell Gibbs and Devin Allen, Terri Lee Freeman’s farewell video to the Lewis Museum, Baltimore Center Stage announces Trans History Project cohort, the BROS must go on, Terence Dickson’s Terra Cafe closes, and a J.M. Giordano photo essay from Turnstile’s DC concert.
Local Artists Speak to Baltimore’ s Long and Complex History
by Alina Tugend
Published October 29 in The New York Times
“The artists Jerrell Gibbs and Devin Allen sat together in the same middle school in Baltimore more than two decades ago, and their lives occasionally overlapped as they remained in their native city.
This fall, works by both of them appear in exhibitions at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), a coincidence that underscores one of the main themes of the museum’s fall shows — the breadth and depth of both Baltimore artists and art about the city itself.”
Terri Lee Freeman FINALE | In Her Own Words
Published November 2 on Reginald F. Lewis Museum YouTube Channel
After five years of leadership at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, President Terri Lee Freeman reflects on her time at The Lewis, in her own words.
From joining the museum in 2021 to helping guide The Lewis through a period of growth, change and transformation, Terri shares her perspective on leadership, the importance of leading with grace and the people who made the work possible.
In this special conversation, Terri reflects on the kind of leader she has worked to be and offers a heartfelt thank you to the donors, members, visitors, partners, staff and community who have supported The Lewis throughout her tenure.
Learn more about the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and our work preserving, interpreting and celebrating Maryland African American history and culture.
Trans History Project announces second cohort of playwrights, advancing mission to be seen
by Aliza Worthington
Published October 29 in Baltimore Fishbowl
The second cohort has been chosen for the Trans History Project, a national initiative created by Baltimore Center Stage Artist-in-Residence Bo Frazier.
The Trans History Project is a ground-breaking project commissioning and developing 10 new plays by 10 transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) writers. The first cohort contained four TGNC playwrights and one TGNC theatre ensemble. The second cohort includes five plays by five TGNC playwrights: Ty Defoe, Justice Jamal Jones, Youri Kim, Nico Pang, and K.T. Peterson.
Baltimore Rock Opera Society pushes on after leader’s viral firing
by Wesley Case
Published October 30 in The Baltimore Banner
For the beleaguered Baltimore Rock Opera Society, the show must go on.
The city-based theater group known for its original rock-and-roll productions — and more recently the controversial firing of its white director after she wore cornrows — returned to the stage Thursday night for its first performance since the viral fallout from its new leader’s dismissal.
During the preview night of “The Orb of Pondering,” there was no mention of artistic director Kelly Carnes’ abrupt firing last month or the online fallout that quickly followed. Instead, the opera society, which identifies itself by the acronym BROS, looked optimistically to its future.
Baltimore loses one of its longest-running Black-owned restaurants
by Christina Tkacik
Published October 29 in The Baltimore Banner
Growing up, Terence Dickson’s father used to treat the family to dinner once a month at a different restaurant, maybe a Chinese place, or an Italian one. But one thing stood out: “We really never went to a Black restaurant,” said Dickson.
So when he opened Terra Cafe at 101 E. 25th St. in 2009, Dickson says it was important to him to offer not just delicious fish sandwiches, but a community outpost and space where he could “show the Black awesome of Baltimore.”
But this week, Dickson announced that Terra Cafe has closed permanently amid mounting debt, including a large electric bill, and vandalism of the Barclay storefront. The shutdown of one of Baltimore’s longest-running Black-owned restaurants struck a chord with friends and peers in the hospitality industry, with some also feeling the pain of rising operating costs coupled with a downturn in business.
POV: Moshing to Turnstile on the National Mall
by J.M. Giordano | Introduction by Lydia Woolever
Published October 27
This past Saturday afternoon, an estimated 60,000 people poured into the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to see the moment’s biggest band from Baltimore.
In the shadow of the Washington Monument, within view of the U.S. Capitol and within potential earshot of the White House, Turnstile took to an ad-hoc stage around 3 p.m., its panels painted in their signature rainbow palette.
A distorted synth line hums out into the crowd as drummer Daniel Fang takes his seat, holds his sticks in the air, and smashes his first stroke of a solo riff. The rest of the band takes the stage, leader sing Brendan Yates closes his eyes and throws up his arms, and with a leap, the hardcore quartet launched into its rollicking anthem “Birds.”
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